Rubber Plants

Rubber Plants: Buying & Care Guide

Rubber plants (Ficus elastica, also sold as rubber trees or Ficus robusta) are glossy-leaved indoor trees that grow to 6 to 8 feet in a pot and tolerate a wide range of light. Lively Root grows six varieties, from the deep-burgundy 'Burgundy' to the cream-variegated Tineke and the pet-safe Baby Rubber Plant.

Rubber trees have been popular indoor houseplants since at least the 1970s. They need moderately bright light and little water, which makes them one of the easiest large plants for beginners.

Growing a Rubber plant in your indoor space has many benefits; these fascinating plants are well-loved in interior design due to their dignified look and attractive foliage. Rubber tree plants are excellent air-purifying plants for filtering toxins out of the air, and they have a soothing, stress-relieving effect.

The Rubber plant symbolizes wealth, happiness, peace, and resilience. In Feng Shui, they’re believed to promote constructive growth and transformation.

Explore Our Collection of Rubber Plant Varieties

There’s a variety of Rubber plants that thrive in indoor settings. It’s important not to confuse Ficus Rubber plants with Baby Rubber plants, which are tropical plants belonging to the genus Peperomia. A Ficus Rubber plant is larger and grows upright instead of staying compact and bushy, like Peperomias.

Rubber Plant Varieties Compared

Burgundy Rubber Tree (Ficus robusta 'Burgundy')

• Distinct features: The Burgundy Rubber Tree is an impressive Rubber tree houseplant that looks great as a statement plant. It also makes a wonderful office plant due to its easy-care requirements.
• Level of care: Easy
• Toxicity: Toxic to ingest

Ruby Rubber Tree Plant (Ficus robusta 'Ruby')

• Distinct features: A stunning variegated Rubber plant, the Ruby Rubber Tree has beautiful multicolored leaves in shades of yellow, green, pink, and red. These attractive large Rubber plants thrive in medium light and require good drainage.
• Level of care: Easy
• Toxicity: Toxic to ingest

Ficus Elastica Tineke (Ficus robusta 'Tineke')

• Distinct features: One of the most beautiful Ficus elastica varieties, the Ficus Tineke is one of the relatively rare Rubber plants for sale. Its gorgeous leaf patterns will add beauty to your space, while its air-cleansing properties will improve indoor air.
• Level of care: Moderately Easy 
• Toxicity: Toxic to ingest

Rubber Plant Care: Growing & Maintenance Tips

Rubber plants are easy to grow, as long as you know what they need to thrive. Here are our top Rubber Tree plant care tips to grow beautiful, healthy plants.

• Watering and Humidity: Let the soil dry completely before you water your indoor Rubber plant again. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot. Average humidity is sufficient for this plant; mist it regularly with filtered or distilled water to increase humidity in drier spaces.
• Light and Temperature: Most types of Rubber Plants require bright, indirect light to grow well, but they can also adapt to lower or higher light exposure. Rubber plants prefer average indoor temperatures of 65°F to 78°F. Always make sure you keep your Rubber plant ficus elastica away from cold drafts.
• Soil and Repotting: Use a well-draining potting mix when repotting. Add perlite to enhance drainage. You don’t need to repot immediately after receiving your plant. Wait for 6-12 months; it’s time to repot your plant if you notice the roots growing out of the drainage holes. Wear gloves when repotting as Rubber tree sap can irritate the skin.
• Feeding and Propagation: When you get a small Rubber plant, start feeding it monthly with a fertilizer rich in phosphorus to help it develop its root system. If your plant is mature, use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once a month to promote healthy foliage. Propagate your rubber plant from cuttings in soil or water, or by air layering.
• Cleaning and Pruning: Cleaning the leaves from dust is part of regular Rubber Tree care. Wipe the leaves gently with a soft cloth. Most Rubber plants require regular pruning to stay in good shape. Trim branches above the place where a leaf attaches to the stem; new branches will grow from there, promoting bushier growth.
• Common Issues: Overwatering is one of the most common issues your Rubber plants can face in indoor settings. Watch out for yellowing leaves and check that the soil is dry before repeated watering. Crisp, brown leaves and dry soil indicate underwatering, while brown spots or curling leaves show that the plant receives too much direct sunlight.

Buying a Rubber Plant: Common Questions

Which rubber plant variety should I choose?
For maximum drama in a bright room, choose Burgundy. For color and variegation, choose Ruby or Tineke; both need more light to hold their markings. For a small space, a desk, or a home with pets, choose the Baby Rubber Plant.

How much does a rubber plant cost?
Ours start at $43 for a small plant in a grower pot. Medium plants start at $58 and extra-large floor plants at $136, and eco pots or smart-watering planters add to the price. Available sizes vary by variety.

Is a rubber plant a good indoor plant?
Yes. Ficus elastica is one of the easiest large houseplants to keep. It adapts to a range of indoor light, only needs water once the soil has dried, and grows into a 6 to 8 foot floor plant over a few years. The two things to watch are overwatering and its milky sap, which irritates skin and is unsafe for pets to chew.

Is a rubber plant the same as a rubber tree?
Yes. Rubber plant and rubber tree are two common names for Ficus elastica, and every variety on this page except the Baby Rubber Plant is one. The Baby Rubber Plant is a Peperomia: a separate, pet-safe plant that stays under about a foot tall.

What does a rubber tree look like?
A rubber tree has large, thick, glossy oval leaves on an upright stem, and each new leaf unfurls from a colored sheath. Leaf color depends on the variety: deep burgundy that darkens to near-black on Burgundy, cream and sage green on Tineke, and pink, cream and green on Ruby.

Are rubber plants safe for cats and dogs?
No. True rubber plants (Ficus elastica) have a milky sap that irritates skin and can upset cats and dogs if chewed. The Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is pet-safe despite the shared common name.

Do you ship live rubber plants?
Yes. Every plant here ships live and potted, packed to travel, with a 100% Happiness Guarantee.

Is a rubber plant a tropical plant?
Yes. Ficus elastica is native to tropical South and Southeast Asia, which is why it prefers warmth, humidity and indirect light, and why it is hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 10 to 11.

Order a Gorgeous Rubber Tree Plant for Sale From Lively Root

Shop vibrant Rubber plants for your space from Lively Root’s selection! Place several trees together to create a refreshing island of greenery in your living room, or get a smaller tree to add some green inspiration to your office space.

Choose a large Rubber tree plant to add an instant statement centerpiece to your space; these plants shine as focal points in minimalistic interiors.

Order a Spectacular Rubber Plant for Sale From Lively Root!